Fireproof surface cleaning device



Feb. 23, 1932. WIER v 1,846,505

FIREPROOF SURFACE GLEANING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 S. A. WIER Feb. 23, 1932.

FIREPROOF SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STUART A. WIER, 0F DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB TO TRIDEX CORPORATION, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FIREPROOF SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE Application filed February 5, 1929.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fireproof surface cleaning devices.

Quite a number of surface cleaning devices involving steam generating coils have been developed. These devices are largely used in garages and in order to produce steam it is necessary to have gas burners or other type of fire within the casing or housing in order to heat the coils. Air must be supplied to the fire in order to promote combustion. The fire ordinances in a large number of cities prohibit the use of a hot water heater or a steam generator, or any kind of washing appliance using an enclosed flame and having air or draft holes in the casing so that gasoline fumes might be ignited. Such devices are classified as open flames, although the flame is within a casing. If such a device is to be used it must be separated from the garage by a fireproof wall and the hose run through a tight opening in such wall.

One object of the invention is to provide a surface cleaning device in which the flame is entirely enclosed and no draft openings are present in the casing through which fumes may enter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described equipped with an air conduit having its entrance on the outside of the building for supplying air to the device, said device being otherwise impervious to air, gases or liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for igniting the gas within the impervious casing so as to light the burner without opening the casing of the device or involving any other fire hazard.

Further reference will be made herein to the foregoing and other features of the invention, which will be more particularly pointed out.

In the following specification an exemplification of the invention is set forth and this is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a surface cleaning device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a, view at right angles to Fig. 1,

Serial No. 337,601.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device with the cover removed,

Fig. 4. is a detail of the cover fastening and packing means,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional VlBW taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the device,

Fig. 7 is a detail of the pipe guard.

Fig. 8 is a detail of one of the coil clamps,

Fig. 9 is a detail of the bottom gasket connection, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the electrical mounting block.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates an upright cylindrical casing or jacket having an enlarged firebox 11 mounted on a support 12. A conical cap 18 is fitted on top of the acket. Within the jacket is mounted a coiled steam generator 14: having three pipes 15, 16 and 1'7 extending through notches 18 in the upper end of the jacket. It is not believed necessary to go into the details of the cleaning device, because these are covered in pithglr applications for patents which I have It will be sufficient to say that the pipe 16 is connected to the Water supply, while the pipe 15 is connected with a safety valve 19.

lhe pipe 17 is connected with a branch pipe 20 leading to a detergent tank 21. A'hot water pipe 22 and a steam pipe 23 extend from the generator 14 through holes inthe jacket to an atomizer 24, which is connected with the tank 21 by a pipe 25.

The jacket 10, firebox 11 and cover 13 are imperforate except where parts pass therethrough and a single air opening 26 in the firebox surrounded by a collar 27. The firebox is provided with an outwardly directed annular base flange 28 which rests upon a circular metal bottom 29, as is shown in detail in Fig. 9. An asbestos gasket or other packing medium 30 is interposed between the flange and the bottom and the parts are secured together by rivets 31.

A hollow metal guard 82 snugly receives the pipes 22 and 23, as is shown in Fig. 7. This guard is secured to the jacket by means of a bolt 33 and has a filling 34 of shredded asbestos or other packing material which is compressed about the pipes when the bolt is fastened, thus making an air and liquid tight joint. The jacket has an interior lining 35 of sheet asbestos or other suitable fire resisting material.

To hold and pack the pipes 15, 16 and 17, a clamp is provided at each notch 18 comprising an inner plate 36 and an outer plate 37. These plates are connected by a plurality of bolts 38 extending through the jacket at the edge of the notch. The plates are large enough to overlap the metal jacket 10 and the lining 35 around the notches. The notches between the plates are provided with a filling 39 of shredded asbestos or other packing material which is compressed around the pipes when the bolts are fastened, thus providing an air and water tight joint where each pipe passes through the jacket. The cover 13 is provided with a depending annular flange 40 contiguous to an annular outer lip 41, thus forming a socket therebetween which has a filling 42 of shredded asbestos or other material which is compressed when the cover is forced down on the upper edge of the jacket 10.

A plurality of clamps are provided, each comprising a bracket 43 secured to the lip 41 and a. bracket 44 secured to the jacket. These brackets are connected by bolts 45. The clamps are equally spaced and when the bolts are fastened the cover is drawn down onto the jacket so that the filling 42 is compressed and an air and liquid tight joint thus produced. The cover has a fine collar 46 at its .top.

By connecting the collar 27 of the fire box 11 with a suitable pipe (not shown) leading from a point outside the building, fresh air will. be supplied to the fire box and by connecting the collar 46 with a suitable vent pipe leading to a flue or outside of the building, all gases and fumes from the interior of the acket will be carried off. The device being entirely enclosed, it will be seen that air or liquids cannot enter the jacket from the room in which it is installed and, therefore, it is fireproof and may be used in an open garage.

A gas pipe 47 extends into the fire box 11 and is braised thereto, so as to provide an air and liquid tight oint. A suitable gas burner 48 is mounted in the fire box and extends up into the jacket. In order to be able to ignite the burner without opening the jacket, an ordinary spark plug 49, such as is used in internal combustion engines is supported contiguous to the openings of the burner 48 and connected by a wire 50 with a binding post 51, as is shown in Figs. 6 and 10. The binding post is supported in a flanged mounting block 52 riveted in an opening 53 in the jacket so as to make an air and liquid tight joint.

On the outside of the binding post is an ordinary spring Wire fastener 54 and a wire 55 leading from a suitable ignition circuit connected with said fastener. Then the circuit is closed a spark will be produced in the spark plug 49 so as to light the burner when the gas is turned on without opening the jacket.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations, may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim, is:

1. In a fireproof surface cleaning device, an upright cylindrical casing, an air inlet at one side of the bottom of the casing, a burner extending axially of the casing above the said inlet, a water heating element in the casing above the burner, an axial outlet at the top of the casing above said element, the casing being closed to the admission of air except for the inlet and outlet, a pipe leading from said water heating element through the side of the casing through a notch at its top as a support therefor, plates through which the pipe passes secured to the casing to enclose the notch, a detergent tank mounted on the outer side of the casing, said pipe entering the upper portion of said tank, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, and a pair of pipes leading from the casing and connected with the discharge pipe, all the pipes being packed at the casing to form air-tight oints.

2. In a fireproof surface cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, a closure for the bottom of the casing, a cover having a socket for receiving the upper edge of the casing and provided with a packing, and means for fastening the cover on the casing and drawing said cover downwardly to compress said packing.

3. In a. fireproof surface cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, a block of insulating material secured in the side of the easing and having a flange overhanging the outer side of the casing to form an air-tight joint, an electrical connection penetrating said block, a spark plug adjacent the burner, and an electrical circuit conductor between the plug and the electrical connection.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

STUART A. WEEK. 

